Brandon is 9!

Somehow Brandon grew up and turned 9 years old today.  He is such a great kid and helpful in every way.  He loves scouts and is becoming quite a gentleman.  He just started martial arts and loves it!  He is very smart and loves math (if only he would remember his homework!)  He loves having fun, playing video games and being with his friends. 

This is the cake he wanted this year.  Thanks for taking it easy on me bud!

He wanted his party on his actual birthday this year, so he invited some friends over after school.  We ate  cake and ice cream, then opened presents.  I have a hard time with birthday parties at my house and trying to entertain lots of kids, so we went to the movie theatre and saw Zookeeper.

Brandon got a Beyblade stadium and a new tornado Beyblade from Sara and Sophia.

Ben and I got him a Swiss Army pocket knife.

Brandon and Ben battling with Sophia cheering them on!

Brandon is such a fun, easy-going kid and an absolute joy to have in our family!  Love you buddy!

Rigby Lake

On Labor Day we had some fun at Rigby Lake.  I don't know why I didn't take the kids sooner, because it is such a fun place!  It's only 15-20 minutes from our house with plenty of grass, sand for the kids to play in, a playground and water with a slide!  

We dug out this inflatable boat for the kids to play with and found out it has a hole somewhere because we pumped it up multiple times.

Ben even went down the slide.

We tried to get Sophie to take a nap, but it never worked.  She was grumpy that night, so she went to bed early.  Now that we know how great it is at Rigby Lake we will be there a lot next summer!

Idaho State Fair

I love going to the fair!  It is the beginning of Fall, so the weather is usually perfect.  I love seeing all the animals, watching the kids play, shopping and eating fair food.

Sara performed at the fair this year and did such a good job!

The kids each get to pick out one treat and Brandon always gets a tiger ear.  He is pretty proud of himself because he can eat the whole thing by himself.

This one's for you Aaron.  I had to get a picture just for you (go ahead and sing the song now- I know you want to).

Sara chose a caramel apple and I had ice cream.  We also got cotton candy for the kids to share.  We had a great time, but I was ready to go after a few hours.  I can only handle that many people for so long!

Random August Fun 2011

One night Sara and Brandon got some socks on and were sliding on the floor.  Sophia had to join in, but couldn't do it by herself.  Daddy got to run back and forth with her so she could slide like the big kids.

At night when Sara and Brandon were supposed to be brushing their teeth they would wander around the house, so we told them that they could not cross the line at the end of the bannister.  Sophie now stands in her spot every night to brush her teeth.

Brandon got to help me make dinner one night to pass off something for Scouts.  He wasn't too excited when I told him he would be making meatballs.

Sara learned how to mow the lawn.

Ben's sister Misty and her family from Michigan stayed with us for a couple of days.

Cute curls I did on Sophie one day when I had some extra time.

Ben taught Brandon how to solve a Rubix Cube.

Sophie playing her Leapster while the big kids are in school.

We got a juicer and have been drinking lots of fresh juice.  YUM!!

Brandon earned his Wolf!

Sophie playing dress-up with Sara.  We had such a fun summer, but I am ready for the routine that school days bring.